Shivani is addicted to shoes and one could rightly call her a collector of shoes, for, she boasts of nothing less than 50 designer shoes and adds on to the collection whenever she finds something striking. Shivani is not alone in matching the shoes to the clothes she wears. The trend is on in full swing. Gone are the days of flip-flops and sandals, chic ballerinas and flats are here to stay.

With more women working today, the need to look good has never become more important. Kanika frequents parties around the City and beams when she says, “I can wear my stilettos at parties, at work and also while hanging out with friends. It sure is hard to feel at ease with them but the attention I get carrying them off makes me proud.” However, model co-ordinator and fitness expert, Veena Bhat warns, “Wearing stilettos is a neccesity being in the fashion world, but it’s best to have them on only while walking the ramp. Constant use can hurt your ankles. Flats are so much more comfortable as they are cushioned well and are comfortable.”

Ballerinas have taken over drab flats and their fresh, young look has grabbed many an eyeball. With funky colours ranging from perky pink to hazy blues, from hot reds to silver satins, “The ballet flats seem to have gained the title of the best shoes ever designed,” says Anne, an event manager. They range from Rs 800 to Rs 2000 and are available at all footwear outlets in the City. 

The store manager of Soles claims: “Stilettos are never-dying trends, the ballerinas and flats are trends that may fade away in a few months. Bright colours and prints are in this season and customers pick up shoes that catch their eye. So designing and placement are priorities.”

While the race for producing the best shoes continue, the arrival of VNC has left shoe lovers gaping at their vast collection. Varsha Karnik, a student says, “I love their collection. Stilettos are my favourite, I have a few ballerinas too. When it’s a party, I plan my outfit around the stiletto. I’m not a big one of designer shoes but I do frequent a few designer stores and boutiques like Boheme, Marmalade, Mango, VNC and ffolio.”

VNC, situated at Indiranagar owe 60 per cent of their sales to stilettos and heels while ballerinas and sandals get 20 per cent each. Apart from gold, silver and black, metallic and bronze colours are hot and happening this season. Leather prints and loud colours seem to top the best buy list and range from Rs 1500 to Rs 3000 in designer stores and at the street corners one will get the same for Rs 250 to Rs 1000.

Jutis too are catching up. When worn with traditional dresses, Jutis add a hint of Indian touch with small gunghroos, colourful stones, shells and the zari work with laces and come in rich colours. Ranging from Rs 200 to Rs 1,000 at Commercial Street, jutis are the trendiest ethnic footwear to sport this season.

If you are not the designer wear kind, then a walk around Commercial Street will leave you confused for want of choice, for the shops there have an entire range of good shoes that don’t really lighten your wallet. “Most of my casual footwear come from Commercial Street, they last about three months and many a time by then the designs are outdated so I don’t really feel bad about throwing them away and going for new ones,” says Swetha, a freelancer.

SS